Method and system for reducing motion blur when experiencing virtual or augmented reality environments

ABSTRACT

A system or apparatus for reducing motion blur includes an active shutter system, shutter control and processing components, an optional optical sensor, one or more optional movement sensors, and a power source, and can cooperate with a virtual or augmented reality system and display. The shutter system is optimally positioned between a user and the display so that one or more shutters of the system can be activated to block a user&#39;s view of the display. The shutter system is activated to block refresh lines or other artifacts present when the display refreshes. The shutter system also can be activated according to movement of the user. The shutter system can be one or more independent shutters and each shutter can have one or more shutter segments. Additionally, the shutter system can include multiple cooperating layers of shutters. The shutter system further can be incorporated in a multi-lens optical system.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of co-pending provisional U.S.Application 62/082,386 filed Nov. 20, 2014 and co-pending U.S.application Ser. No. 14/641,411 filed Mar. 8, 2015, which claims thebenefit of provisional U.S. Application No. 61/950,651 filed Mar. 10,2014 and provisional U.S. Application No. 61/994,544 filed May 16, 2014.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to virtual reality environments. Moreparticularly, this device relates to a method and apparatus for reducingmotion blur when viewing or experiencing three-dimensional content usinga virtual reality or augmented reality system.

BACKGROUND

Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) systems are gaining inpopularity and providing useful for many applications including gaming,entertainment, advertising, architecture and design, medical, sports,aviation, tactical, engineering, and military applications. Most VR andAR systems use personal computers with powerful graphics cards to runsoftware and display the graphics necessary for enjoying an advancedvirtual environment. To display virtual reality environments, manysystems use head-mounted displays (HMDs).

Many HMDs include two displays, one for each eye, to create astereoscopic effect and give the illusion of depth. HMDs also caninclude on-board processing and operating systems such as Android toallow application to run locally, which eliminates any need for physicaltethering to an external device. Sophisticated HMDs incorporatepositioning systems that track the user's head position and angle toallow a user to virtually look around a VR or AR environment simply bymoving his head. Sophisticated HMDs may also track eye movement and handmovement to bring additional details to attention and allow naturalinteractions with the VR or AR environment.

While traditional HMDs include dedicated components, interest is growingto develop an HMD that incorporates a user's own mobile device such assmart phones, tablets, and other portable or mobile devices having videodisplays. In order to create an immersive VR or AR environment, however,the HMD should be sized, configured, and constructed in specific way foruse with a particular mobile device. Additionally, in order to create animmersive VR or AR environment, the single traditional display on themobile device must be converted to a stereoscopic display.

One particular problem with stereoscopic displays of VR or AR systems,traditional HMDs, and HMDs that incorporate mobile devices with videodisplays is motion blur, which is the apparent streaking of rapidlymoving objects in the three-dimensional video. Motion blur is furtherexacerbated by head movement. Current VR systems, AR systems, and HMDsfail to provide an effective way of reducing motion blur. Accordingly,it would be desirable to provide an apparatus that can be incorporatedin or included as a component of VR or AR systems in general and of HMDor VR/AR headsets in particular to reduce motion blur. Moreover, itwould be desirable to provide a method of using the apparatus to reducemotion blur while viewing three-dimensional video.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An apparatus for reducing motion blur experienced by participants invirtual reality (VR) or augmented reality (AR) environments comprises anactive shutter system, shutter control and processing components, anoptional optical sensor, one or more optional movement sensors such asaccelerometers, magnetometers, and gyroscopes, and a power source, eachof which cooperates with a VR or AR system. For purposes of thisinvention, references to VR systems is understood to also include ARsystems as well. The VR system comprises one or more displays, one ormore lenses, and access to VR control and processing components. The VRsystem optionally further comprises a head mounted display or a headmounted display frame that accommodates a mobile device. The activeshutter system is positioned near the lenses or displays such that it isdirectly in the line of sight of the user when using the VR system andwatching the displays, or it will be incorporated into a multi-part lenssystem and, for example, placed between a first plastic or glass lensand a second plastic or glass lens. Preferably, the overall size of theactive shutter system is such that the entire display area or the user'sor participant's entire field of view can be covered with the activeshutter system. Where the VR system or headset system comprises only onedisplay, preferably the single display is converted to a stereoscopicdisplay by executing software stored remotely or locally that generatestwo adjacent smaller displays within the original display. The controland processing components of the apparatus or of the cooperating VRsystem include hardware and software for executing a method ofcontrolling the active shutters while a user views a three-dimensionalvideo on the displays. The optional optical sensor or sensors arepositioned adjacent to or near the display such that characteristics ofthe displayed content and the display itself can be recorded or measuredfor further use by the hardware and software for executing a method ofcontrolling the active shutters while a user views a three-dimensionalvideo on the displays. The optional motion sensors are preferablypositioned on a component that is positioned on the viewer's orparticipant's head such as somewhere on a HMD so that they can accountfor the user's head motion to enhance the method of controlling theactive shutters.

To use the apparatus for reducing motion blur with a VR headset, theactive shutter system should be physically positioned between theparticipant's eyes and the displays such that the participant's field ofview of the display area cooperates with the active shutter system, andthe active shutter should be in direct or wireless communication withthe shutter computing components and power source. Preferably, theparticipant positions his first eye so that it cooperates with the firstlens and his second eye so that it cooperates with the second lens andthen simultaneously views the first display through a first lens and thesecond display through a second lens. While the user views video on thedisplay, individual shutter cells of the active shutter system areactivated according to either a given shutter engagement pattern and therefresh rate of the displays or an optimized shutter engagement patternthat adapts according to data sensed by the optional optical sensor, theoptional motion sensors, or both.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top schematic view of the components of a virtual realityheadset system that incorporates a mobile device and an active shuttersystem.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of the active shutter system of the presentinvention with multiple shutter segments.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of an alternate embodiment of the activeshutter system of the present invention with multiple shutter segments.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of the preferred embodiment of the activeshutter system of the present invention with multiple shutter segments,optical sensors, and motion sensors.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the arrangement of the optical components andshutter system according to the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the shutter system according to the preferredembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a alternative front view of the shutter system according tothe preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an illustration of a display cooperating with an opticalsensor according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a graph illustrating how the moment of refresh is identifiedfrom data recorded with the optical sensor of the preferred embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart of a method of controlling the active shuttersystem during video playback.

FIG. 11A is a flow chart of a preferred method of controlling theshutters of the active shutter system during video playback.

FIG. 11B is a flow chart of an alternative method of controlling theshutters of the active shutter system during video playback.

FIG. 12A is a flow chart of a method of evaluating optical data todetermine a refresh moment and refresh frequency according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 12B is a flow chart of an alternative method of evaluation opticaldata to determine refresh moment and refresh frequency according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 13 is a top schematic view of a second embodiment of a virtualreality headset system of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a perspective exploded view of a third embodiment of thevirtual reality headset of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a perspective exploded view of a fourth embodiment of thevirtual reality headset of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a top cutaway view of the fourth embodiment of the virtualreality headset of the present invention that illustrates a lens systemof the present invention.

FIG. 17 is an illustration of examples of locks appropriate for use withthe virtual reality headset of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a cutaway view of the fourth embodiment of the virtualreality headset of the present invention that illustrates the preferredlens system of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a perspective partial exploded view of a fifth embodiment ofthe virtual reality headset of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the fifth embodiment of the virtualreality headset of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the device module and lens module ofthe fifth embodiment of the virtual reality headset of the presentinvention.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the inner shell of the support moduleof the fifth embodiment of the virtual reality headset of the presentinvention.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the outer shell of the support moduleof the fifth embodiment of the virtual reality headset of the presentinvention.

FIG. 24 is a front view of the device module of the fifth embodiment ofthe virtual reality headset of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a side view of the device module and an open lock of thefifth embodiment of the virtual reality headset of the presentinvention.

FIG. 26 is a side view of a mobile device positioned in the devicemodule of the fifth embodiment of the virtual reality headset of thepresent invention.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a strap connector foruse with the virtual reality headset of the present invention.

FIG. 28 is a side view of an open position of an embodiment of analternative lock of the fifth embodiment of the virtual reality headsetof present invention.

FIG. 29 is a side view of the lock shown in FIG. 28 cooperating with amobile device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As shown in FIG. 1, an apparatus 200 for reducing motion blurexperienced by a participant in virtual or augmented reality cooperateswith a virtual reality (VR) headset system 100. For purposes of thisinvention, a VR system is understood to include both VR systems andaugmented reality (AR) systems, and the terms user, viewer, andparticipant are used interchangeably. The apparatus 200 for reducingmotion blur comprises an active shutter system 220, shutter control andprocessing components 230, an optional optical sensor 400, one or moreoptional motion sensors 410, and a power source 210. The cooperating VRheadset system 100 shown in FIG. 1 is preferably modular and comprises ahead mounted display (HMD) frame 140, lenses 110 and 130, VR control andprocessing components 150, a mobile device 12 with display 300 andeffective stereoscopic displays 240 and 260, and access to VR controland processing components 150 for operating or cooperating with themobile device display. The HMD frame 140 houses or attaches to lenses110 and 130 and houses or attaches to VR control and processingcomponents 150. Preferably, HMD frame further defines slots or openingsto accommodate the active shutter system 220, the shutter control andprocessing components 230, and the power source 210 where needed. Framecan be any type of headwear suitable for positioning attached lensesnear the user's eyes as is well known in the art. Lenses can be any typeof lenses suitable for viewing displays at a very close distance as isalso well known in the art. For example, lenses with a 5× or 6×magnification are suitable. Additionally, lenses may be multi-partlenses with several optically cooperating lens components.

The shutter control and processing components 230 comprise control andprocessing components such as discrete circuits desirable or necessaryto drive the active shutter system or necessary to coordinate the use ofthe active shutter system with the video being displayed and thecomponents of the cooperating VR headset system. The VR computingcomponents 150 comprise any control and processing components such asdiscrete circuits desirable or necessary to use the headset for avirtual reality experience and to cooperate with mobile device 12. TheVR control and processing components 150 and the shutter control andprocessing components 230 can be two separate sets of components thatcommunicate wirelessly or directly, or they can be combined forefficiency. For example, VR control and processing components 150 mayinclude control circuitry, input devices, sensors, and wirelesscommunication components. VR control and processing components 150 andshutter control and processing components 230 can include independentlyor in combination any combination of computer components such as, forexample, a processor programmed to operate in various modes andadditional elements of a computer system such as, memory, storage, aninput/output interface, a waveform or pulse generator, photodiodes,phototransistors, photo resistors, a communication interface, and a bus,as is well known in the art. Preferably, shutter control and processingcomponents further comprise code or software and hardware for executinga method of driving the active shutter system while a user views a threedimensional video on the displays. Preferably, the software or code isstored in the memory and executable by the processor of the control andprocessing components.

FIG. 1 also illustrates how mobile device 12 physically cooperates withHMD frame 140. HMD frame 140 preferably attaches to or alternatively ispositioned adjacent to one side of mobile device 12 such that a user canview the display of mobile device 12 when looking through lenses 110 and130 and through the active shutter system 220. Mobile device 12preferably is hand-held and includes the typical components of ahand-held mobile device such as a display 300 that forms a surface ofthe mobile device, a processor 310, memory 320, and wirelesscommunication components 330 as is well known in the art. Optionally andpreferably, mobile device 12 also comprises conversion code or softwarethat is stored on the memory 320 and executable by the processor 310 toconvert the traditional mobile device display 300 to adjacent effectivefirst and second displays 240 and 260. Alternatively, mobile device 12can access through a wireless or wired communication link displayconversion code that is stored remotely. Preferably, first and seconddisplays 240 and 260 can play the same content or output as wasavailable on or intended for the original display 300 or they candisplay different content or output as was available on or intended forthe original display 300. Additionally, first and second displays 240and 260 can simultaneously display the same or different content as eachother. While a modular VR headset that cooperates with a mobile deviceis described herein and shown in the features, the apparatus 200 of thepresent invention can be incorporated into any VR or AR headset designincluding ones with a permanent and dedicated display or displays andcan be incorporated with any VR or AR system, such as a large or smallstandalone display.

For use with a VR headset system, the active shutter system 220preferably is a modular component that can be added to the VR headsetwhen desired. For example, it can be configured as a screen that can beinserted between the lenses and the mobile device display as shown inFIG. 1. FIG. 2 illustrates the active shutter system 220 as a singlecomponent for covering the entire display. It can be inserted into aslot or opening defined by the frame 14, or it can be placed immediatelyadjacent to the mobile device display 30 such as, and optionally in thesame manner as, an electrostatic screen protector. Alternatively, it canbe two components 27 and 28 where each component is secured to one ofthe lenses such that it is positioned between a user's eye and the lenswhen in use as shown in FIGS. 13-14, 19, and 21 or where each componentis positioned between a first and second lens component of a multi-partlens for each eye as shown in FIGS. 16 and 18. FIG. 3 illustrates theactive shutter system 220 when split into two components for attachingdirectly to the lenses. Finally, the active shutter system 220 can beincorporated into the display in some cases such that the display glassis covered by one or more polarized layers, which are the shutters, andthen is further covered by another layer of glass. The active shuttersystem 220 can snap, screw, clip, or adhere to adjacent components.Additionally, the active shutter system 220 establishes an electricalconnection or other connection with the shutter control and processingcomponents 230 when it is physically placed in its desired location.

The active shutter system 220 preferably connects to a battery or powersource 210 that can also be positioned on or in the headset as needed.Alternatively, it can be powered from the output of the universal serialbus (USB) of the mobile device or by a power source for the headset. Thepower source 210, shutter control and processing components 230, andactive shutter system 220 are all directly or wirelessly connected asshown by the dashed arrows in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 and the optional opticalsensor 400 is also directly or wirelessly connected to the control andprocessing components 230 as shown in FIG. 4. Similarly, the optionalmotion sensors 410 such as an accelerometer, magnetometer, and/orgyroscope are also directly or wirelessly connected to the control andprocessing components as shown in FIG. 4.

The active shutter system 220 preferably comprises any high speed LCDvideo shutter. For example, shutter system 220 can be twisted nematicliquid crystal displays (LCDs) such as TN cell LCDs or Pi cell LCDs thatcan be pulsed between and active (on) and inactive (off) state by awaveform generator. Preferably when the shutter is active (on), the celldoes not allow light to pass through. When inactive (off), the cellallows light to pass through. The cells can be shuttered on and off at arate of 0-1200 Hz. Preferably, the cells are shuttered on and off at arate that matches the output of the video being experienced. Morepreferably, the cells are shuttered on and off according to the rate andrefresh pattern of the content being experienced on the displaydelivering the content. A method of determining a shutter engagementpattern is detailed below.

The active shutter system 220 illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4preferably comprises one or more shutter cells or segments where amultiple cells or segments are part of a single component yetindividually electronically controlled. As shown in FIG. 2, the activeshutter system 220 is one component for inserting between the lenses ofa VR headset and the display(s) of a VR headset and comprises sixshutter cells or segments 220 a-220 f. This can also be used with astandalone display where the active shutter system 220 is positionedbetween a user and the display and more preferably immediately adjacentto and fully covering the display. For example, it can be integral witha standalone display or a layer that covers the entire display of astandalone display. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the active shutter system220 is two components or shutters 27 and 28 for attaching directly toindividual lenses such as between the user's eyes and the lenses andwherein each of the shutters comprises several shutter segments 220 a-cand 220 d-220 f as shown in FIG. 3 or single shutter segments 220 a and220 b for each eye or lens as shown in FIG. 4. Preferably, the activeshutter system 220 comprises shutters 27 and 28 and more preferablyshutters 27 and 28 each comprises a single segment 220 a and 220 b andare positioned between components of a cooperating multipart lens systemas shown in FIG. 5.

Shutter segments 220 a-220 f are multiple cells, pixels or segments thatare individually controlled or shuttered. For example, segment 220 a isa first segment, segment 220 b is a second segment, segment 220 c is athird segment, and so on. While FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate and activeshutter system 22 having 2 or more pixels, cells, or segments, thenumber of segments for the present invention can be one segment or anynumber of multiple segments. For example, active shutter system 22 maycomprises thousands of segments for some applications. Additionally,while FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate the segments as being a row of adjacentcells from left to right, which matches the refresh pattern ofconventional displays, the segments can instead be positioned in acolumn vertically or in a grid pattern having several rows and columnsdepending on new refresh patterns for displays or to accommodate othersituations or conditions. Preferably, each segment is dark 80%-90% ofthe time when in use to effectively reduce motion blur. To achieve totaldarkness 2 or more shutter systems with corresponding segments may haveto be fused, bonded, adhered with optical adhesive, or otherwiseattached, layered, or stacked on top of each other allied bypolarization for complete darkness. In other words, two or more activeshutter systems can be stacked with corresponding segments turning onand off simultaneously.

In the preferred embodiment, active shutter system 220 comprises twoindividual shutters 27 and 28 as illustrated in FIG. 16, which areintegrated into a lens system 500 shown in FIG. 5. In FIG. 5, each ofshutters 27 and 28 are represented by the shutter system 520 within thelens system 500. As FIG. 5 illustrates, lens system 500 comprises afirst lens 505, a doublet lens 510, and shutter system 520. Single lens505 is preferably an annealed optical grade plastic lens which caneliminate distortion. Doublet lens 510 is preferably a glass lens thateliminates chromatic aberration so that there is no color separation.Shutter system 520 is preferably glass and, as discussed throughout theapplication, is activated as needed and preferably according to ashutter engagement pattern to eliminate or reduce motion blur.

First lens 505 is preferably comprised of plastic or an acrylic polymerper MIL-G-174 such as optical grade polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) No.492.574 with an ND of 1.492±0.002 and V of 57.44±2%. Preferably firstlens 505 has a first surface 505A and a second surface 505B, both ofwhich are also preferably coated with a high-efficiency anti-reflectioncoating with a maximum of 0.5% average reflectivity from 450 nm to 650nm for an angle of incidence of 0 to 10 degrees. Additionally, the RMSsurface roughness of first and second surfaces 505A and 505B are about100 Angstroms. The radius of the second surface 505B is preferably45.1352 mm and the sagitta (SAG) of the first surface 505A is preferablycreated by diamond turning and according to the aspheric equation wherer is the height from the optical axis of the lens, k is conic constant,and c is the curvature of the base sphere at the optical axis:

${SAG} = \frac{{cr}^{2}}{1 + \sqrt{1 - {( {1 - k} )c^{2}r^{2}}}}$

For example, the following table illustrates the SAG for several heightsfrom the optical axis:

R = 1/c −22.44533 k −3.01609 Height (mm) SAG 0.000 0.00000 5.000−0.54364 10.000 −2.04062 15.000 −4.21447 20.000 −6.82100 25.000 −9.69841Overall, first lens 505 is approximately 50 mm in diameter with athickness near the optical axis of the lens of 7 mm. To eliminate anyrainbow effect, preferably first lens 505 is also annealed.

Doublet lens 510 comprises a second lens 512 and a third lens 514, bothof which preferably comprise optical grade glass per MIL-G-174. Secondlens 512 preferably comprises SCHOTT® N-LAK10 No. 720.506 with an ND of1.720±0.002 and V of 50.62±2% from Schott North America, Inc. Secondlens 512 also comprises a first surface 512A and second surface 512Bthat are preferably pitch polished to test plate and have a surfacequality of 40-20 scratch/dig. Second lens is preferably manufactured permil-O-13830, and first surface 512A is preferably coated with ahigh-efficiency anti-reflection coating with a maximum of 0.5% averagereflectivity from 450 nm to 650 nm for an angle of incidence of 0 to 10degrees. Overall, second lens 512 is approximately 40 mm in diameter andhas an overall thickness at the optical axis of about 12 mm.Additionally, first surface 512A preferably has a radius of about 58 mm,second surface 512B preferably has a radius of about 34.238 mm, andpreferably finely ground side walls 512C of about 2 mm thicknessseparate first and second surfaces 512A and 512B.

Third lens 514 preferably comprises SCHOTT® N-SF6 No. 805.254 with an NDof 1.805±0.002 and V of 25.35±2% from Schott North America, Inc. Thirdlens 514 also comprises a first surface 514A and second surface 514Bthat are preferably pitch polished to test plate and have a surfacequality of 40-20 scratch/dig. Third lens 514 is preferably manufacturedper mil-O-13830, and second surface 514B is preferably coated with ahigh-efficiency anti-reflection coating with a maximum of 0.5% averagereflectivity from 450 nm to 650 nm for an angle of incidence of 0 to 10degrees. Overall, Third lens 514 is approximately 36 mm in diameter andhas an overall thickness at the optical axis of about 2.5 mm.Additionally, first surface 514A preferably has a radius of about 34.238mm (or at least a radius that cooperates with the second surface 512B ofthe doublet first lens 12), second surface 514B preferably has a radiusof about 81.998 mm, and side walls 514C of about 7.61 mm thicknessseparate first and second surfaces 512A and 512B. Side walls 514C arepreferably finely ground.

As shown in FIG. 5, doublet lens 510 individual second lens 512 andthird lens 514 are positioned adjacent to each other such that theyoptically cooperate. Preferably, the second surface 512B of second lens512 is bonded to the first surface 514A of third lens 514. Morepreferably, they are bonded together using Norland® Optical Adhesive 61from Norland Products Inc. or an equivalent optical adhesive.

Preferably, as shown in FIG. 5, active shutter 520 is positioned betweensingle first lens 505 and doublet lens 510 so that when a viewer's eye501 is positioned near the second surface 514B of doublet lens 510 theviewer looks at a display 502 through the triplet lens system 500 bylooking first through doublet lens 510, then through active shutter 520,and finally through single first lens 505. For purposes of thisinvention, the terms user, viewer, and participant are usedinterchangeably. The preferred focal length of the single first lens 505is 15 mm. The preferred distance between the single first lens 505 andthe shutter 520 is 5-8 mm. The preferred distance between the shutter520 and the doublet lens 510 is 1-2 mm. While preferred distances forthe preferred embodiment of the lens as described herein are detailed,it should be understood that shutter 520 should be positioned as closeto the doublet lens 510 as possible to match the refractive index andminimize reflection. It should also be understood that combination oflenses and shutters can be assembled for different focal lengths orrefractive indexes without changing the scope of the invention.

The preferred embodiment of active shutter 520 comprises any high speedLCD video shutter including twisted nematic liquid crystal displays(LCDs) such as TN cell LCDs or Pi cell LCDs. The shutters generallycomprise electroactive material or a liquid crystal layer positionedbetween polarizing filters, transparent substrates, and opticalelectrodes, as is known to someone skilled in the art. The polarizingfilters preferably have identical orientations that are offset fromvertical by about 45 degrees, and the electrodes receive and deliver tothe electrostatic material the required voltage necessary to turn theshutter on (activate the shutter so no light passes through) or off(deactivate the shutter so that light passes through). For cooperatingwith the preferred optical system described herein, active shutterpreferably has about a 40 mm overall diameter and is preferably about2.85 mm thick. Additionally, pins 522 and 524 are oriented along theouter edge of shutter 520 to facilitate electrical contact andcommunication with the power source. FIGS. 6-7 illustrate an embodimentof shutter 520 for use with the preferred optical system describedherein.

It is important that the shutters be aligned properly with thepolarization layer of the cooperating display or mobile device display.The alignment will vary based on the polarization of the display anddepending on whether the shutters both have pins 522 and 524 facing inthe same direction. For example, a first face 526 of shutter 520includes pins 522 and 524, and a second face 528 does not, as shown inFIGS. 6 and 7. One or more shutters 520 face the same direction whenthey each have their pins 522 and 524 facing the same direction or, inother words, their first faces 526 oriented similarly. When the firstface 526 of a first lens 27 points toward the display and the secondface 528 of a second lens 28 points toward the display, then theshutters are oriented oppositely, which is what is shown in FIGS. 6-7.When oriented oppositely, then one shutter 27 should be aligned with itspins between 9 o'clock and 12 o'clock while the other shutter 28 shouldbe aligned with its pins between 12 o'clock and 3 o'clock. FIG. 6illustrates pins oriented at 12 o'clock, which may be appropriate for anin-plane switching (IPS) display. FIG. 7 illustrates pins oriented at 10o'clock and 2 o'clock, which may be appropriate for an active-matrixorganic light-emitting diode (AMOLED) display.

Using the shutter control and processing components 230, the activeshutter system can be pulsed between on and off at a static speed or ata variable speed according to predetermined parameters or in response toinformation sensed and recorded while the headset and active shuttersystem is in use. The active shutter system also may be configured sothat each eye experiences the shutter as on or off at the same time orsuch that each eye experiences something different while the shuttersalternate when they are on or off. Additionally, where multiple shuttersegments are present, each segment can be pulsed between on and offaccording to a static, variable, or dynamic pattern. Moreover, theshutters can be pulsed in a cascading pattern to match the refresh rateof the cooperating display such as when mobile devices are oriented inlandscape mode and refresh from left to right. Finally, the pulse rateoptionally can be dynamically synchronized with the output of an opticalsensor, accelerometer, or magnetometer that is part of the shuttersystem or part of the headset system and the display refresh rate tocompensate for display refresh rates and for faster or slower headmotion of the user.

The shutter control and processing components optionally may furthercomprise communication components for establishing a data link betweenthe headset and the apparatus for controlling motion blur 200. Forexample, the data link may be established with communication links andprotocols including but not limited to short range wirelesscommunications such as Bluetooth, local area wireless technology,infrared data transmission methods, radio frequency communication, ANT+data transmission, ZigBee communication protocols, universal serial bus(USB) communication links, or I13 1394 high speed serial buscommunication links such as Firewire. With the data links, informationobtained, collected, and/or stored such as information collected fromsensors on the headset system can be shared with the apparatus 200 sothat the shutter system 220 can be controlled according to or tocoordinate with the data.

FIG. 8 illustrates the optical sensor placement in one embodiment of theinvention. Optical sensor 400 is preferably placed and oriented with itssensor face 400A directed at the display so that it can sense colorchanges, heat changes, or light intensity variations of one section of adisplay 401 and takes multiple snapshots of data every second.Preferably, optical sensor 400 is positioned on a surface facingdirectly at the display without being in field of view of the user. Forexample, it can be positioned on a lens plate or a housing for a lensand oriented facing the display. To get the best data, for somedisplays, optical sensor 400 is positioned also preferably near thecenter of a first display area. The first display area can be the firstarea of a display to refresh where a single display is divided intomultiple display areas or it can be the first display to refresh wheremultiple displays are present. Optionally, however, multiple opticalsensors can be used so that multiple or all display areas cooperate withan optical sensor. Additionally, for some embodiments, multiple opticalsensors place at multiple locations are preferred to enhance thereliability of the collected data. For example, where shifts in colorintensity are important, multiple sensors will be more likely to detectthe shift.

Optical sensor 400, or optionally multiple optical sensors, takesmeasurements or pictures of photon data multiple times per second.Optical sensor 400 preferably senses or collects data about the displaysbrightness, color intensity, and heat. By sensing the displaycharacteristics and comparing them to each other, the moment of refresh,the refresh frequency, and where appropriate, the phase shift, of thedisplay can be determined and the activation of the shutters can becontrolled accordingly. Optical sensor 400 can be used both with popularactive-matrix organic light-emitting diode (AMOLED) displays, within-plane switching (IPS) displays, and with other types of displays.Optical sensor preferably communicates data directly to the shuttercontrol and processing components 230 either with a direct wiredconnection or wirelessly. One type of optical sensor useful for thisinvention is a LED 3 mm phototransistor such as Part No. XRNI30W-1 fromSunLED Company, LLC of Walnut, Calif. The optical sensor should sensethe desired wavelengths (such as visible light), have a fast responsetime and not have a lot of dark light current or noise. The opticalsensor preferably detects and collects characteristics of the photonsemitted from the display and the gathered data can be evaluated to findpeaks of brightness, lulls of darkness, color shifts, color intensityvariations, and heat changes, for example.

FIG. 8 also illustrates a screen shot of an AMOLED display as therefresh line 402 of the display passes in front of the sensor. Refreshline 402 looks similar to LCD pulses 404, but differs as the photonicdata changes more significantly for refresh line 402 but not for pulses404. FIG. 9 illustrates the brightness changes detected by the opticalsensor 400 over time as it senses refresh line 402 and pulse lines 404.In order to optimally reduce motion blur, it is preferred to activateshutters when the refresh line 402 passes the viewer's field of view butnot when the pulses 404 pass the viewer's field of view. Looking at FIG.9, the moment of refresh occurs when the refresh line begins at one edgeof the display, and the refresh frequency is the time between a firstmoment of refresh and a second moment of refresh. Actively detecting thescreen refresh is especially important for AMOLED displays, which arepopular in many mobile devices, as the displays are constantlyrefreshing.

For in-plane switching (IPS) displays where a refresh line is not asreadily apparent, the optical sensor 400 monitors specifically for lightintensity shifts and changes. When optical sensor 400 detects theswitch, the moment of refresh and the rate or frequency of refresh canbe detected to set a refresh phase lock according to which the shutterscan be activated and deactivated.

With any type of display and with IPS displays especially, additionaldata indicating the moment of refresh can be gathered or recorded withmotion sensors 410 that measures slight movements of a viewer's head.Motion sensors 410 include, for example, accelerometers, magnetometers,and gyroscopes. Typically, a viewer will adjust his position when therefresh occurs. Motion sensor 410 is also useful to measure headmovements with any type of screen to adjust for sudden movements. Inorder to reduce motion blur, the shutters are preferably activated whensudden head movement occurs regardless of the screen or display refresh.Additionally, motion sensor 410 can be used to trigger components to gointo a sleep mode if desired when there is a lack of head motion. Aswith optical sensor 400, motion sensor 410 preferably communicates datadirectly to the shutter control and processing components 230 eitherwith a direct wired connection or wirelessly. Motion sensor 410 can bepositioned on or near the display, on or near the lenses or shutters, onthe headset, or on the viewer's head either directly or on a cooperatingdevice as long as it is capable of detecting a viewer's head movements.One type of motion sensor useful for this invention is amicro-electro-mechanical 3 axis, 16-LGA accelerometer such as Part No.LIS331 DLHTR from STMicroelectronics of Geneva, Switzerland.

The method of viewing video content with reduced motion blur comprisesdisplaying content that can be viewed as three dimensional content onthe stereoscopic displays. For example, a user can activate threedimensional (3D) video mode to display 3D content with a physical switchor button, by selecting the option on a graphical user interface (GUI),or by simply inserting his mobile device into the HMD frame 14 if a VRheadset system for mobile devices is being used. Where the useractivates 3D video mode by placing his mobile device in HMD frame 140,sensors or switches recognize proper placement of mobile device 120 inHMD frame 140 as is known to those skilled in the art and activate 3Dvideo playback accordingly. Software for executing 3D video mode can beoptionally stored in the memory and executed by the processor of theshutter control and processing components or the control and processingcomponents of the cooperating VR system or stored remotely and/orexecuted remotely and accessed using communication components of theshutter control and processing components or control and processingcomponents of the cooperating VR system.

Preferably, before initiating the method of viewing content with reducedmotion blur, the viewer has properly oriented shutters 27 and 28 so thatthe polarity of the shutters is aligned with the polarity of thedisplay. For the preferred shutter and optical arrangement discussedherein, shutters 27 or 28 should be individually aligned to match thepolarity of the cooperating display keeping in mind that shutters 27 and28 have opposite faces oriented toward the display as discussed above.Preferably, shutters 27 and 28 are manually adjusted by the user bysimply twisting the shutters among several positions. Optionally,electromechanical components can be incorporated to automatically adjustshutters 27 and 28.

Once 3D video mode has been activated, the shutters are pulsed on andoff according to a shutter engagement pattern that can take into accountmany factors. FIG. 10 illustrates a first example of a method forcontrolling the shutter engagement. As shown in FIG. 10, after a useractivates 3D video mode, the appropriate pattern of shutter engagementis determined. The shutter engagement pattern can be any pattern ofturning on an off shutter segments including, for example, first turninga first shutter segment 220 a off while the rest remain on, secondturning second shutter segment 220 b off while the rest remain on, thirdturning third shutter segment 220 c off while the rest remain on, fourthturning fourth shutter segment 220 d off while the rest remain on, fifthturning fifth shutter segment 220 e off while the rest remain on, andsixth turning sixth shutter segment 220 f off while the rest remain on.After cycling through the six segments, the pattern repeats until theuser stops the video or another action prompts a change in pattern.After the shutter engagement pattern is determined, the video outputrate can be determined and a pulse interval can be determined thatcorresponds to the video output rate. Optionally, additional conditionscan be assessed such as head movement, and the pulse interval can bealtered based on the assessed conditions using software optionallystored in the memory of the shutter control and processing componentsand executed by the processor of the shutter control and processingcomponents or stored remotely and/or executed remotely and accessedusing communication components of the shutter control and processingcomponents. Finally, the shutter segments are engaged according to theshutter engagement pattern and the pulse interval until the video isconcluded or until the user affirmatively stops the video playback.

While FIG. 10 illustrates one method for controlling the shutter segmentengagement, other methods of controlling the shutter segment engagementcan be used without altering the scope of the invention. For example,many different patterns of shutter engagement can be selected andadditional or different conditions can be sensed and assessed to alterpulse rates. The preferred shutter engagement pattern for the embodimentof the shutters where two shutters are used and each shutter has onesegment as illustrated in FIG. 4 is to have the first shutter activatedwhen the first display area is experiencing refresh and to have thesecond shutter activated when the second display area is experiencingrefresh. FIG. 11A illustrates the method of activating first and secondshutters 220 a and 220 b according to a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention. FIG. 11B illustrates an alternative method ofactivating first and second shutters 220 a and 220 b where the user'smotion is also considered. FIG. 12 illustrates a method for determiningthe moment of refresh and the refresh frequency according to the presentinvention. For each of the methods, software is stored in the memory andexecuted by the processor of the shutter control and processingcomponents or alternatively stored remotely and/or executed remotely andaccessed using communication components of the shutter control andprocessing components.

As shown in FIGS. 11A, 12A, and 12B, a user aligns the shutters for hisselected display where necessary and further enables the 3D video modeor otherwise causes a single display to split into two identicaladjacent first and second display areas where necessary. Once twodisplay areas are present either by splitting a single display or byusing two independent displays, the first display area and seconddisplay area are identified and the content is delivered to bothdisplays. Initially, a first Refresh Moment value and a first RefreshFrequency value are set. The Refresh Moment and Refresh Frequency valuescan be set simply at zero or they can be set at an average value for thetype of display being used. The optical sensor then obtains a sample ofdata about the display characteristics while the content is delivered.The sample of data can be any size, but preferably is about 4 frames ofdata, which for a refresh rate of 60 frames per second is about 0.07seconds. The sample of optical sensor data, which is also known asoptical data, is delivered to the shutter activation software stored onand executed by the shutter control and processing components where itis evaluated to determine the Refresh Moment. The Refresh Moment is themoment when the screen is refreshing in the area cooperating with theoptical sensor and will be further discussed below. The optical data isalso evaluated to determine the Refresh Frequency, which is the timebetween successive refresh moments. For some types of displays, a shiftin Phase also should be identified and accounted for when determiningthe Refresh Moment as described further below and illustrated in FIG.12B. After the Refresh Moment and Refresh Frequency are determined, thenthe time when the first display area is refreshing can be calculated andthe time when the second display area is refreshing can be calculated.According to the calculations, the first shutter is then activated toblock the user's view of the first display area when the first displayarea is refreshing, and the second shutter is deactivated to allow theuser to view the second display are when the first display area isrefreshing. Additionally, the second shutter is activated to block theuser's view of the second display area when the second display area isrefreshing, and the first shutter is deactivated to allow the user toview the first display are when the second display area is refreshing.The method of collecting optical data, evaluating the optical data, andactivating or deactivating the first and second shutters according tothe optical data preferably continuously repeats as the content isdelivered to the display. Alternatively, the method can repeat at givenintervals such as repeat once every second or it can repeat after atriggering event such as when a motion sensor senses a threshold amountof movement. Additionally, the method can occur as optical data is beingsampled or it can occur after the optical data is sampled depending onthe speed and efficiency of the processor used.

Because various display types have different indicators of refreshmoments, the data from the optical sensor will be evaluated according tothe type of display. For example, with AMOLED displays a refresh linetravels across the display areas as the display refreshes as illustratedin FIGS. 8 and 9. FIG. 12B illustrates a method for evaluating theoptical data from an AMOLED display. As shown, a received sample of theoptical data is first filtered, the result of which can be seen by theline 901 on FIG. 9. Then, a moving average of the filtered data iscalculated, which is seen as line 902 on FIG. 9. The moving average iscompared to the filtered data to create a received signal. For example,where the filtered data is less than the moving average, an outputsignal of 1 is set and where it is not, an output signal of 0 is set.The Received signal is then compared with a reference signal to identifywhen refresh 404 is occurring at the sensor location and to calculatethe frequency of pulses 402 identified at the sensor location and anyshift in phase, which is further illustrated in FIG. 9. If the pulsefrequency has changed, then the Refresh Frequency is adjusted and theRefresh Moment is calculated. If the pulse frequency has not changed,then the Refresh Frequency is locked and whether a shift in phase hasoccurred is evaluated. Where a shift is phase has occurred, the RefreshMoment is adjusted the amount of the phase shift. Where no shift inphase has occurred, the Refresh Moment is also locked. Once the RefreshMoment and Refresh Frequency have been identified, then when the RefreshMoment is at the first edge of the display where refresh begins can becalculated. The first shutter 27 is then activated while the refreshline passes a first display area and the second shutter 28 is activatedwhile the refresh line passes the second display area. Alternatively,with IPS displays, light intensity shifts when refresh is occurring andshifts in phase are not a concern. FIG. 12A illustrates how the opticaldata is evaluated for IPS and other types of display. As shown, a sampleof optical data is filtered and then the changes are evaluated toidentify the Refresh Moment and the Refresh Frequency. The RefreshFrequency is compared to the previous Refresh Frequency and where achange has occurred, the Refresh Moment and Refresh Frequency areupdated accordingly. Where no change has occurred, the Refresh Momentand Refresh Frequency remain the same. Accordingly, the optical sensordata indicating the Refresh Moment will be when a shift of intensity isdetected, and the first shutter 27 is then activated while the intensityshifts in the first display area and the second shutter 28 is activatedwhile the color shifts in the second display area. Finally, otherdisplay types can be accommodated as well as using the same method wherechanges in the display characteristics are recorded and evaluated, andthe shutters are activated according to when their cooperating area ofthe display is experiencing such changes.

FIG. 11B illustrates a variation of the method described with respect toFIG. 11 where motion of the user further alters when the shutters areactivated. Motion sensors 410 preferably record head motion of the userand deliver the motion data to the shutter activation software stored onand executed by the shutter control and processing components forfurther evaluation. The motion data is useful both for determining whenthe refresh moment occurs and for compensating for motion blur caused byexcessive or sudden head movement. Often when a display refreshes, theviewer unknowingly moves his head. By detecting that movement, themotion data can be evaluated to help identify the moment of refresh.Additionally, when a user suddenly moves his head, motion blur can occurand the shutters may need to be temporarily activated to prevent motionblur. Accordingly, when sudden movement is sensed, one or both of thefirst and second shutters are activated while the head is moving. Afterthe user's head stops moving, then the shutters will continue to operateaccording to the original shutter engagement schedule. Motion sensor 410and the gathered motion data can also be used to trigger a sleep mode ofthe optical sensor and corresponding software when there is a lack ofmotion. In such case, then the viewer can manually reactivate theoptical sensor and related software by, for example, pressing a button,or the optical sensor and processing can automatically restart whenmotion is sensed again.

Additional embodiments of a modular and convertible VR headset 10 thatcan cooperate with the apparatus for reducing motion blur of the presentinvention are shown in FIGS. 13-29. As shown in FIGS. 16-19 and 22-24the modular segments of a VR headset system 10 preferably include aheadset 11 with a frame assembly comprising a device module 4 and asupport module 6, a lens module 8, a comfort module 15, and a strap 19.Additionally, as shown in FIGS. 16-17, the modular segments may alsoinclude a dedicated mobile device case 12. Device module 4 comprises abase 14, an optional seal 13, and a receptacle or dock 14 a defined byor attached to base 14 with optional locks 9 for accommodating themobile device case 12 or a mobile device 5 directly. Additionally itoptionally defines a slot 14 d to accommodate active shutters 400. Lensmodule 8 comprises a lens plate 20, a first lens 22, a second lens 24, afirst lens cup 23, a second lens cup 25, a first shutter 27, a secondshutter 28, and a lens adjuster 26. Support module 6 comprises one ormore of a first side wall 16, second side wall 18, upper wall 32, lowerwall 34, corners 36, edges 38, and covers 32 a and 34 a. Alternatively,support module 6 comprises an outer wall or shell 61 and an inner wallor shell 64 that attach together and cooperate with each other to form asubstantially continuous walled structure. In order to facilitatecustomization, specific uses, and upgrades, the modular segmentscooperate and are secured together with the use of screws, snaps,latches, tension devices, clasps, quarter turns, twist locks, pushscrews, hook & loop connectors, tongue and groove connectors, and othermethods of removably securing components together as is well known tothose skilled in the art. Preferably, the components are removablysecured such that they do not easily detach when in use. Morepreferably, the components are removably secured together with simplelocking mechanisms or in such a manner that a tool must be used tofacilitate detachment. For example, as shown in FIGS. 19-27, severalmodules attach with nesting extensions 29, 45, 62, 65, and 90 and aplug, key, or insert 72 that extends through holes defined by theextensions.

Base 14 of device module 4 is an assembly, frame, or rack with anintegral or attached receptacle or dock 14 a for preferably cooperatingwith or holding the mobile device 5 directly or alternatively forcooperating with or holding the dedicated mobile device case 12. Dock 14a can be a receptacle, an opening, a surface, one or more fasteners, orany other type of structure capable of temporarily holding twocomponents together or positioning two components side-by-side. If usingdedicated mobile device case 12, preferably the mobile device issecurely positioned within case 12 such that the VR headset systemcooperates with the mobile device 5 and such that the mobile device'sdisplay is viewable to the user when wearing and using the VR headsetand system. The mobile device 5 or case 12 can slide into the dock 14 aformed by base 14 through an opening on one edge or side of base 14.Alternatively, the mobile device 5 or case 12 can be snapped into,pressed into, set into, or dropped into the dock 14 a at an opening onone of the large sides of base 14. Also alternatively, the mobile device5 or case 12 can be placed, set, or positioned against dock 14 a. Themobile device 5 or case 12 preferably is secured in place with a lock 9.Lock 9 can be, for example, a door, slide, clamps, clasps, magnets,cooperating hook and loop fasteners, cooperating tongue and groovefasteners, a pull tension-type latch, opposing or surrounding fin rayextensions, or other physical locking mechanism as is known in the art.FIG. 17 illustrates examples of locking mechanisms suitable for securinga mobile device 5 or case 12 to base 14. FIGS. 19-26 illustrate apreferred lock 9 comprising a pull tension-type latch having a firstlatch arm 41 pivotally attached with a connector 48 to base 14 near itsperimeter and a second latch arm 42 pivotally attached with a connector48 to base 14 near its perimeter and on an opposite edge from wheresecond latch arm 42 attaches to base 14. Second latch arm 42 furtherincludes a spacer 49 pivotally attached with a connector 48 to latch arm42 near its longitudinal center. Spacer 49 is preferably comprisesresilient material so that it can deform and apply gentle pressureagainst a mobile device 5 docked in the dock 14 a of base 14, as shownin FIG. 26. First arm 41 further pivotally attaches with a hingemechanism 43 to second arm 42, as shown in FIGS. 25-26. The pull-tensiontype latch is released by pulling first arm 41 up and away from secondarm 42. The pull-tension type latch is engaged by pushing first arm 42down toward and adjacent to second arm 42. An alternatively lock 9 isillustrated in FIGS. 28 and 29 and comprises two or more fin rayextensions 100 that open and close when pressure from the mobile device5 is applied to the inner flank 101. Each fin ray extension 100comprises pliable inner and outer flanks 101 and 102 that are joined attheir tips and form an acute angle. The two flanks are connected by aplurality of ribs 103 which hold the struts 101 and 102 apart and allowelastic movement. When one flank 101 is subjected to pressure, thegeometrical structure automatically bends in the direction opposed tothe force applied.

Mobile devices include any personal electronic device or any mobile orhandheld device that has a screen or display including but not limitedto mobile phones, cellular phones, smartphones, tablets, computers,dedicated displays, navigation devices, cameras, e-readers, and personaldigital assistants. Mobile devices displays including mobile dedicateddisplays can be any type of display including but not limited tolight-emitting diode displays, electroluminescent displays, electronicpaper or E ink displays, plasma displays, liquid crystal displays, highperformance addressing displays, thin-film transistor displays,transparent displays, organic light-emitting diode displays,surface-conduction electron-emitter displays, interferometric modulatordisplays, carbon nanotube displays, quantum dot displays, metamaterialdisplays, swept-volume displays, varifocal mirror displays, emissivevolume displays, laser displays, holographic displays, light fileddisplays, or any other type of output device that is capable ofproviding information in a visual form. Preferably, in addition tohaving a screen or display, the mobile device comprises an operatingsystem, can run various types of application software, and is equippedwith communication components. Optionally and preferably, especially fora mobile device that is a dedicated display, the mobile device furthercomprises a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) port, auniversal serial device (USB) port, or other port or connection means tofacilitate direct or wireless connection with a computing device orlarger display device such as a television.

Optional seal 13 of device module 4 is positioned to provide a tight andsecure fit between the display side of the mobile device 5 and base 14or between the display side of case 12 and base 14. Seal 13 can beremovable and customizable or it can be permanently affixed to base 14.Additionally, seal 13 can be narrow as shown in FIG. 14 or it can covera larger or all of the front surface 14 d of base 14. Base 14 and seal13 can each or both optionally and preferably comprises a divider 17located at its approximate midpoint such that it equally divides thedisplay space on the mobile display with which it cooperates as shown inFIGS. 14-16 and 19-21. Divider 17 is located between the user's eyeswhen the user wears the VR headset 10 so that each eye sees a differentimage. Divider 17 can be removable or customizable or it can be affixedto base 14. Base 14 also preferably covers, on the screen or displayside of the mobile device, all of the side except for the mobile devicedisplay.

Base 14 optionally can include mirrors (not shown) for further enhancingthe user's view of the display on the mobile device with which itcooperates. Base 14 also optionally includes a nose piece 14 c forproviding a comfortable fit for the user. Nose piece 14 c can beintegrally formed with base 14 or a separate component attached to base14. Preferably, nose piece 14 c is integral with base 14, formed of asubstantially solid surface, and contoured to accommodate a user's nose.Optionally, nose piece 14 c is easily removable and replaceable and isavailable in a variety of sizes and colors to accommodate a user'sfeatures and preferences.

Additional features can be incorporated into base 14 to accommodateaccessories. For example, base 14 can also define a slot 14 b forinserting additional filters or screens or mirrors to alter the user'sviewing experience or such options can be permanently secured in base14. Slot 14 b can accommodate shutter system 400 as well. Openings,access ports, and buttons can be located at various locations aroundbase 14 to accommodate physical buttons, microphones, headphones, USBports, communication components, computer and computing components, andother components that are either present on the mobile device or arepart of additional headset components such as additional displays,cameras, and audio devices. Base 14 also optionally includes an easilyaccessible housing location for optional communication components suchas near field communication (NFC) components or other control andprocessing components 5. FIG. 21 illustrates a housing 75 that can beattached to base 14 to house such components.

Base 14 preferably comprises a substantially rigid or semi-rigidmaterial capable of securing the weight of the mobile device and/or case12 with which it cooperates. Base 14 can be a solid color or canincorporate designs or patterns, and preferably base 14 is available ina variety of colors, designs, and patterns to accommodate the specifictastes of the user. For example, if the user prefers the color pink, theuser can select a pink base 14. Alternatively, if the user prefers greencamouflage, the user can select a green camouflage base 14.

Mobile device case 12 preferably comprises a sleek design thatcooperates with base 14 and can be comfortably carried by the user whennot being used with the VR headset 11. Case 12 is configured such thatit does not need to be removed from the user's mobile device to use themobile device with headset 11 and such that it directly attached to orfits in the dock of base 14. Case 12 can be made from a variety ofmaterials including but not limited to plastic, carbon fiber, andrubber. Case 12 can be a solid color or it can incorporate designs,patterns, or themes. For example, case 12 can be a solid orange color orit could have an image or feature of a popular video game displayed onit. Case 12 preferably includes ports, buttons, or openings toaccommodate the camera, buttons, charging ports, and other features ofthe mobile device. Case 12 preferably is sized and configured such thatwhen positioned in or cooperating with base 14 no light will pass intothe field of view of the viewer when using the VR headset system 10.Case 12 can be one component as shown in FIG. 13 or multiple componentsas the case components 12 a and 12 b shown in FIG. 14.

Support module 6 of headset 11 is the frame or support into which a userplaces his head and face. In one embodiment, support module 6 comprisesat least one or more of the following components: first wall 16, secondwall 18, upper wall 32, lower wall 34, corners 36, edges 38, and covers32 a and 34 a. As shown in FIG. 14, first and second side walls attachto optional upper wall 32 and lower wall 34 at corners 36 to create asubstantially continuous surface or wall. First and second side wallsand upper and lower walls can be four separate components directlyconnected or connected with corners 36. Alternatively, the walls 16, 18,32, and 24 and corners 36 can be integrally formed as one component asshown in FIG. 15, and can further include covers such as first cover 32a and second cover 34 a shown in FIG. 15. Where the walls are separatecomponents, first and second side walls 16 and 18 and upper and lowerwalls 32 and 34 are preferably changeable and removably attach to base14. First and second side walls 16 and 18, upper and lower walls 32 and34, and optional corners 36 can be attached to base 14 with snaps, hook& loop connectors, tongue and groove connectors, magnets, latches,adhesive, screws, or any other method of temporarily and securely twocomponents together as is well known in the art. One or more edges 38can optionally attach to walls 16, 18, 32 and 34 and corners 36 at theopposite end from base 14 as shown in FIG. 14. Edges 38 allow a user tofurther customize his headset 11. Side walls 16 and 18, upper and lowerwalls 32 and 34, corners 36, and edges 38 are preferably configured toblock light from entering headset 11 when in use. First and secondcovers 32 a and 34 a attach to one or more of walls 16, 18, 32 and 34 orto corners 36 or edges 38 with fasteners or by snapping into place witha pressure fit. Covers 32 a and 34 a preferably define openings (notlabelled) where necessary to allow a user to access controls or ports orto allow access to other components of the headset.

Lower wall 34 of support module 6 optionally includes a nose piece ordefines a cutout to accommodate a nose piece as shown in FIG. 14, andone or more walls preferably include physical features for accommodatinga cooperating strap 11. For example, side walls 16 and 18 may eachinclude a slot 16 a and 18 a respectively, through which a strap 19 canbe attached or snaps to which a strap can attach. Additionally, slots 16a and 18 a can include pushbutton locks or lace locks to facilitateadjustability, or they may be configured as multiple slots that allowthe strap to be adjusted or held stationary depending on how the strapis looped through the multiple slots. Other methods of facilitatingstrap adjustability can be substituted without changing the scope of thepresent invention.

Additionally, side walls 16 and 18, upper and lower walls 32 and 34,corners 36, edges 38, and covers 32 a and 34 a are available in avariety of sizes, shapes, and colors to allow the user to customize thefit, the use, and the look of the headset. As with base 14, first andsecond side walls 16 and 18, upper and lower walls 32 and 34, corners36, edges 38, and covers 32 a and 34 a preferably comprise substantiallyrigid or semi-rigid materials capable of securing the weight of the base14 and mobile device and/or case 12 with which it cooperates. Walls 16,18, 32, and 34, corners 36, edges 38, and covers 32 a and 34 a can be asolid color or can incorporate designs or patterns, and preferably areavailable in a variety of colors, designs, and patterns to accommodatethe specific tastes of the user.

An alternate and preferred configuration of support module 6 is shown inFIGS. 19-21 and 22-23. As shown, support module 6 comprises an outerwall 61 and an inner wall 64. Outer wall 61 comprises a substantiallycontinuous structure or shell that defines upper and lower walls andopposing side walls. Additionally, outer wall 61 comprises a firstsurface 63 that can accept additional modules such as a comfort module15. The side walls of outer wall 61 form side extensions 62 and definegenerally opposing openings or holes 62 a through which attachmentdevices such as a plug, key, or insert 72 can be inserted. Inner wall 62comprises a substantially continuous structure or shell that defines anupper wall, a lower wall, and opposing side walls. Additionally innerwall 64 comprises a first surface 66 that cooperates with and optionallyphysically attaches to device module 4 or lens module 8. The side wallsof inner wall 64 define side extensions 65 that are sized and shaped tocooperate with extensions on the device module 4 and the lens module 8.Preferably, side extensions 65 are configured as indentations in thesubstantially continuous wall 64. The side extensions 65 of inner wall64 further define generally opposing openings or holes 65 a throughwhich attachment devices such as a plug, key, or insert 72 can beinserted. Together, complementary inner wall side extension 65 and outerwall side extension 62 cooperate to form a support module extension, andthere can be multiple support module extensions located at variouslocations of the support module. Preferably inner wall 64 snugly fitsinside of outer wall 64, and when inner wall 64 is positioned withinouter wall 61, holes 65 a and 62 a are configured so that they align.Inner wall 64 can be retained within outer wall 61 either by pressure ora snug fit or it can be attached with screws, adhesive, magnets, orother types of fasteners.

Lens module 8 preferably comprises a lens plate 20, lens cups 23 and 25,lenses 22 and 24, a first shutter 27, a second shutter 28, and at leastone lens adjuster 26. Lens plate 20 is a support or plate that definestwo openings (not labeled). Each of the openings defined by plate 20accommodates lens cups 23 and 25. Lens cups 23 and 25 snap into lensplate 20 with detents, pins, extensions, or flanges 23 a and 25 a asshown in FIGS. 16 and 18, for example, or push screw into place suchthat lens cups 23 and 25 can be easily removed and changed as needed.Alternatively, other methods of fastening two objects together can beused as is known in the art. The openings in lens plate 20 or the lenscups 23 and 25 can optionally be adjusted so that the openings arecloser together or further apart. Additionally, lens cups 23 and 25 canbe moved, or lens plate 20 further facilitates adjusting the openings,such that they can be moved higher or lower with respect to a user'seyes or closer or further from a user's eyes. Moreover, each lens cupcan be adjusted independently of the other lens cup. Lens adjuster 26facilitates adjustment of the lens cups or openings in the lens plate.As shown in the Figures, lens adjuster 26 is an adjuster knob or screwthat when rotated causes the lens cups and openings to move in apredetermined direction. Only one lens adjuster 26 is shown in theFigures but several can be included to control movement of the lenses,lens cups, or openings as desired and as will be understood by someoneskilled in the art. Additionally, lens plate 20 can be configured toposition lenses 22 and 24 at a specific distance from dock 14 a and themobile device display. For example, a flange can be located around thecircumference of lens plate 20 to control depth. Alternatively,fasteners for securing lens module 8 to support module 6 can attach atdifferent locations along support module 6. Lens plate 20 can beavailable in a variety of shapes in order to accommodate differentuser's requirements as to what distance the user desires between lenses22 and 24 and the mobile device display.

Lens module 8 and lens plate 20 removably secure to either device module4 or support module 6 or both. Lens module 8 and lens plate 20 can beremovably secured to support module 6 and/or device module 4 with snaps,hook & loop closure, tongue and groove fasteners, magnets, latches,adhesive, screws, or any other method of temporarily and securely twocomponents together as is well known in the art. For example, lensmodule 8 and lens plate 20 can be pressure fit into base 14 of devicemodule 4 or attached to the first and second side walls 16 and 18 ofsupport module 6 with interlocking tongues and grooves. Lens module 8and lens plate 20 preferably comprises substantially rigid or semi-rigidmaterials capable of securing the weight of two lenses and lens cups.

FIGS. 19-27 illustrate a preferred method of removably securing lensmodule 8 to device module 4 and support module 6 wherein modules 4, 6,and 8 comprise extensions defining openings and holes. Support module 6comprises an extension or complementary extensions such side extension62 and extension or extension indent 65 that can receive the extensionsof modules 4 and 8. Additionally, the extensions of modules 4, 6, and 8nest together. When nested, the holes of the extensions and extensionindents substantially align to receive a plug, key, or insert 72. Whenthe plug 72 is placed through the aligned holes, the modules aresecurely attached together. The extensions of the lens module 8 areshown in the Figures as lens module extensions 29. The extensions of thedevice module 4 are shown in the figures as device module extensions 45.The extensions of the support module 6 are shown in the Figures as wallextension 62 and wall extension 65. Preferably, support module extensionor complementary extensions receive the device module extensions suchthat the device module extension is nested in the support moduleextension or complementary extensions, and device module extensionsreceive the lens module extensions such that the lens module extensionsis nested in the device module extension.

First and second lens cups 23 and 25 are shaped and configured to housefirst and second lenses 22 and 24. Preferably, two separate lenses andcorresponding lens cups are present, however the same features apply ifonly one lens and lens cup is required without altering the scope of theinvention. Generally, lenses 22 and 24 comprise acrylic, glass, orpolymers and are preferably removably secured, or optionally permanentlysecured, within lens cups 23 and 25. Lenses 22 and 24 also may compriseaspheric lenses, achromatic lenses, plano-convex (PCX) lenses,double-convex (DCX) lenses, hybrid fused lenses, lenses made withmetamaterials, lenses with a negative refractive index, or lenses withan air gap or space between its elements. Lenses 22 and 24 can be asingle lens or can be a cooperating series of lenses. For example,preferably, lenses 22 and 24 comprises a triple lens series as shown inFIG. 18, each of which comprises a proximal lens 22 a or 24 a, a middlelens 22 b or 24 b, and a distal lens 22 c or 24 c. More preferably,first proximal lenses 22 a and 24 a are glass, middle lenses 22 b or 24b are glass, and distal lenses 22 c or 24 c are plastic. Additionally,an air gap is defined between distal lenses 22 c and 24 c and middlelenses 22 b and 24 b. Optionally, first and second shutters 27 and 28can be positioned between the lenses in the series as shown in FIGS. 16and 18. Lenses 22 and 24 and lens cups 23 and 25 are oriented withrespect to the lens plate 20 and base 14 as shown in FIG. 13. Further,lens cups preferably comprise a truncated conical shape or funnel shapeas shown in FIG. 13. The preferred shape of lens cups 23 and 25 limitsthe view of the user when viewing the display on the mobile device sothat the user does not see the entire mobile device display. Lens cups23 and 25 preferably twist and lock into the lens plate 20 or can bepressure fit or snapped into place. Alternatively, lens cups 23 and 25can be otherwise removably secured to lens plate 20 as will be known tosomeone skilled in the art such that they remain rigidly and securelyattached an oriented with respect to lens plate 20. Lens cups 23 and 25may additional comprise integral or attached eye cups 23 b and 25 b thatare positioned at the end of lens cups 23 and 25 near where a user restshis eyes as shown in FIGS. 16 and 18 to provide a comfortable fit andfurther to adjust to the contours of the user's face near his eyes.

Shutters 27 and 28 as shown with the various embodiments of modular andconvertible VR headset 10 can be configured as a single screen that canbe inserted between the lenses and the mobile device display or they canbe separate physical structures that attach directly to each lens asshown in FIGS. 19-21 and such that it is positioned between a user's eyeand the lens when in use. Alternatively, shutters 27 and 28 can bepositioned between a first and second lens component of a multi-partlens for each eye. Shutters 27 and 28 can snap, screw, clip, or adhereto adjacent components and preferably connects to a battery or powersource positioned on or in headset 11 as needed. Alternatively, theshutters can be powered from the output of the universal serial bus(USB) of the mobile device or by a power source for the headset.Shutters 27 and 28 also directly or wirelessly connect with headsetcontrol and processing components 3 where software is stored in memoryand executed by the components to actively operate shutters 27 and 28.

While it is desired that lens plate 20, lens cups 23 and 25, lenses 22and 24, and shutters 27 and 28 be modular and upgradeable, a variety oflens plates 20 can be provided with permanently secured lens cups,lenses and shutters without altering the scope and purpose of thepresent invention. Additionally, lens plate 20 and lens cups 23 and 25can be one component or can be an integral support or framework forlenses 22 and 24. For example, lens plate 20 can be a frame in whichlens cups 23 and 25 are positioned so that they can translate in variousdirections including horizontally and vertically.

Comfort module 15 is optional and removably attaches to and betweenfirst and second side walls 16 and 18 as shown in FIG. 13 or along theedge of support module 6 as shown in FIGS. 14-5 and 7-9. It ispositioned such that it fits between the user's face and support module6 or lens module 8 when the user wears headset 11 to make the user morecomfortable and to improve the fit of the headset. In one embodiment,comfort module 15 attaches directly to surface 63 of outer wall 61 ofsupport module 6 as shown in FIG. 23. Comfort module 15 comprises foamor other resilient material that allows it to mold to the user's facewhen in use. Other resilient materials include but are not limited tomicrofiber, hypoallergenic materials, memory foam, and cool memory foam.Comfort module 15 can be removably secured to support module 6 withsnaps, hook & loop closure, latches, adhesive, screws, or any othermethod of temporarily and securely two components together as is wellknown in the art. Alternatively, it can be permanently affixed oradhered to support module 6 if desired. Comfort module 15 can also beavailable in a variety of colors and patterns to allow the user tocustomize his headset as desired.

Strap 19 comprises adjustable strap material for securing the headset tothe user's head by extending from first side wall 16 around the back ofthe user's head to second side wall 18 as shown in FIG. 13 or forextending between opposite sides of support module 6. Strap material iswell known in the art. Strap 19 also is preferably adjustable andavailable in a variety of colors and patterns to allow the user tocustomize his headset as desired. Strap 19 optionally comprises achannel 19 a for accommodating wires for headset 11 components or forindependent components. For example, strap 19 may accommodate headphonecomponents for the user's convenience and to enhance the VR experiencewhen using the VR headset system 10. Alternatively, strap 19 can houseaudio or other components including headphone wires, battery packs, orwires for connecting to other components.

Strap 19 preferably removably secures to side walls 16 and 18 as shownin FIGS. 13-16 or at the sides of outer wall 61 and optionally the topof outer wall 61 as shown in FIGS. 19-21. Also, as shown in FIGS. 19-21,strap 19 can also include a section that extends up and over a user'shead. For example, strap 19 can be looped through slots in side walls 16and 18 and optionally to upper wall 32 or attach with cooperating snapsto side walls 16 and 18 and optionally upper wall 32. In a preferredembodiment, as shown in FIGS. 19-27, strap 19 attaches to the sides andupper surface of outer wall 61 with locking connectors 90 that areconfigured to cooperate with nesting extensions of the device, support,and lens modules and plug 72. In some embodiments, a modified lockingconnector 73 can be used that further includes a power button 74 orother input device as shown in FIGS. 19-21. Modified locking connector73 can be identical to locking connector 90 or it can be fixedlyattached to the support module 6, device module 4, or lens module 8.

FIG. 27 illustrates a preferred connector 90 having an upper surface 91and a cooperating lower surface 92. The perimeters of upper surface 91and lower surface 92 align and define a space between them. Uppersurface 91 defines an opening 91 a for receiving a removable cover 71.Removable cover 71 snaps into receivers 93 on lower surface 92. Lowersurface 92 defines a first opening 92 a shaped like a beetle or multipleadjacent circular holes with notches and a second opening shaped toreceive an end of strap 19. First opening 92 a receives plug 72 and canbe adjusted while plug 72 is positioned in it such that connector 90 canslide and lock into place after plug 72 is inserted. The preferreddesign of connector 90 allows a user to easily take apart the modules byremoving cover 71, sliding connector 90 to allow access to plug 72, andthen removing plug 72. Moreover, when a user wants to assemble themodule device, the user simply nests device and lens module extensions45 and 29 in complementary support module extensions 65 and 62 so thatthe holes 45 a, 29 a, 65 a, and 62 a all align. The user then positionsconnector 90 over the aligned holes, inserts plug 72, slides connector90 until it locks in place, and then optionally places cover 71 inopening 91 a, and optionally secures it in place by placing snapextensions (not shown) into receivers 93.

VR headset 11 also preferably includes control and processing components3. Control and processing components 3 preferably include a processor,memory, and wireless or wired communication components as is well knownin the art. Wireless communications components include NFC componentsand longer range communications components to facilitate communicationwith the user's mobile device and to facilitate communication withsoftware and content located remotely or accessible only via theInternet. Wired communication components include components configuredto interact with a port or connection on the mobile device so that thereis a direct wired connection between the mobile device and the controland processing components in the headset. Additionally, software can bestored on the memory and executable by the processor to permit the userto communicate and interact with his mobile device while using theheadset. Additional software can be stored on the memory and executableby the processor to permit only authorized access by the user, toconvert the display of the mobile device into a stereoscopic display, toview two-dimensional content as three-dimensional content, and tooperate shutters 27 and 28. Further, mobile devices may alternativelystore software as either content added after production of the mobiledevice or as part of the protected layer of firmware for the mobiledevice that can be remotely accessed by the control and processingcomponents of the VR headset 11 through the headset's NFC or otherwireless communication methods or by direct connection or electricalcommunication between the mobile device and headset 11 such as with aUSB connection.

VR headset 11 is modular and customizable to satisfy the user's personalaesthetic preferences and also to optimize the VR experience. Tooptimize the VR experience, one or more of the walls 16, 18, 32, 34, 61and/or 64, lens plate 20, lens cups 23 and 25, lenses 22 and 24, comfortmodule 15, and strap 19 are all selected and configured according toseveral factors specific to the user's head shape and size, the user'smobile device, and the type of programming to be enjoyed with theheadset 11. In particular, the walls 16, 18, 32, 34, 61 and/or 64 andlens module 8 components will be optimized according to the mobiledevice screen size, the mobile device screen resolution, the mobiledevice DPI, and the type of programming being accessed, such as a videoor an interactive game. For example, higher resolution mobile devicesallow for the lenses to be physically closer to the mobile devicescreen, which then makes the experience more immersive and also requiresa lens plate 20 and at least side walls 16 and 18 to be selected suchthat the lenses 22 and 24 are closer to the mobile device display.Conversely, lower resolution mobile devices are better enjoyed withlenses that are further away from the mobile device display.Accordingly, the lens plate 20 and at least side walls 16 and 18 shouldbe selected such that the lenses 22 and 24 are the appropriate distancefrom the mobile device display. The lenses and other components may alsobe selected based on the particular user's preference and vision.

Additional features and components can also be included with the VRheadset system 10 either as permanent features and components or asmodular and removable features and components. For example, VR headsetsystem 10 can further include a microphone 51, headphones 52, or boththat physically attach to or are housed within headset 11 and cooperateand communicate with headset 11, the attached mobile device, or both.Microphone 51 and headphones 52 are preferably attached to or housedwithin device module 4 or support module 6.

VR headset 11 may further include motion detection sensors 53, headtracking technology 54 and/or eye movement tracking technology 55 suchas accelerometers, gyroscopes, integrated depth sensors, computer visiontechnology, lasers, light detection and ranging (LiDAR) technology, andWi-Fi triangulation technology. Hand movement sensors or trackers orother body movement sensors or tracker may also communicateelectronically or wirelessly with cooperative technology 56 included inheadset 11, the attached mobile device, or both. The motion sensors andtracking technology may also communicate with other technology outsideof the headset 11 and attached mobile device. Sensors 53, head trackingtechnology 54, and eye movement tracking technology are preferablyattached to or housed within one or more of device module 4, supportmodule 6, or lens module 8. Alternatively, they can be housed separatelyfrom headset 11 and in electrical or wireless communication withcomponents of headset 11. Additionally, VR headset 11 may have impute orports for attaching third party accelerometers or motion detection orother sensors that cooperate with headset 11.

VR headset 11 optionally may comprise a camera 57 and additionaldisplays 58 such as an integrated, permanently attached, or removablyattached external display that displays to non-users the content or asimplified version of the content being experienced by the user, whichmay be particularly useful as a parental control feature. Additionallyor alternatively, an integral, permanently attached, or removablyattached a display may be included within the view of the user so he canview additional programming or the output of one or more attached orwirelessly connected cameras 57. Cameras 57 can be a video camera foreither or both recording what the wearer is experiencing or what isactually occurring in his surroundings. Additionally, camera 57 mayphysically or wirelessly communicate and cooperate with mobile device 12and split the content or enhance the existing camera on the attachedmobile device. Camera 57 and displays 58 are preferably integral with orattached to or housed within device module 4 or support module 6.

VR headset 11 also optionally and preferably may comprises buttons,toggles, joysticks, touchpads, or other input devices 7 for operatingthe settings of the headset itself or for making selections in thesoftware being accessed with the headset and by the user. While theinput devices are shown in FIG. 14 as being attached to or housed withsupport module 6, they could also optionally be attached to or housed indevice module 4 without altering the scope of the invention. The inputdevices 7 may also be used to control the typical input devices of themobile device. For example, if a user was wearing headset 11 andreceived a call on his mobile device, he could use an input device onheadset 11 to answer the call on his mobile device without having toremove the mobile device from headset 11.

VR headset 11 optionally may also include technology that allows forhands free use of the headset 11 and the user's mobile device.Preferably, such technology uses voice recognition components such as amicrophone and code or software that is either stored on the memory andexecutable by the processor of the VR headset 11 or stored remotely andaccessed wirelessly to allow hands free use of either or both of theheadset and mobile device. Additionally, such technology can compriseBluetooth® technology, wireless sensor networks, advanced network tools(ANT+), wireless home digital interface technology (WHDI), or otherlocal area wireless technologies such as Wi-Fi. Further, VR headset 11may optionally include technology that permits access to storedfinancial information and usernames and passwords to facilitatepurchases and game, Website, and application access. Preferably, suchtechnology uses NFC components and code or software that is eitherstored on the memory and executable by the processor of the VR headset11 or stored remotely and accessed wirelessly to only allow access tofinancial information, usernames, and passwords, when the user's mobiledevice is physically located in or attached to base 14. Also preferably,when the mobile device is removed from base 14, access to financialinformation, usernames, and passwords is prevented.

Additional features may be included with the VR headset system 10 thatprovide warnings to user when components are not operatingappropriately, when the user's mobile device is not connected properly,or when potential safety issues are present. Such warnings may compriseaudible warnings, vibrations, or other warning signals. Additionally,such warnings can comprise proximity sensor or an augmented realityoverlay with warnings from the actual camera of the VR headset 11 or ofthe cooperating mobile device.

VR headset 11 may also include a rechargeable battery 60 preferablyhoused within device module 4 or support module 6 or as a detachablebattery pack that can located on the headset 11 or worn on the user andin electrical communication with headset 11. Additionally, it mayinclude a battery charger for charging the attached mobile device toextend its battery life. VR headset 11 may also further includecomponents to reduce the user's exposure to electromagnetic radiationsuch as shields, dissipation assemblies, dissipation antennas or thelike.

To use the VR headset system 10 of the present invention, for oneembodiment, the user preferably selects a case 12 that cooperates withhis mobile device 5. For both embodiments, the user also preferablyselects his desired components for the headset 10 based on his aestheticpreferences, his desired use, and his mobile device. After selecting thecomponents and assembling and optimizing his headset 11, the userinserts his mobile device 5 or mobile device 5 and case 12 into the dockor receptacle 14 a formed by base 14 and optionally locks it in placewith lock 9. Once locked in place, with the control and processingcomponents 5 positioned in the headset 11, an application, code, orsoftware stored locally or stored remotely and accessed wirelessly, isactivated to place the mobile device in a three-dimensional mode wherethe mobile device display is split into side by side stereoscopicdisplays. Additionally or alternatively, headset 11 can access otherapplications, code, or software stored remotely and accessed wirelesslyor stored locally to immediately allow mobile device to operate in a 3Dmode. Additionally, if authorization or security protocols are desiredthat permit access to financial information, usernames, and passwordsonly when the user's mobile device is present in headset 11, then usingsoftware stored locally or stored remotely and accessed wirelessly, thestored information is immediately accessible. While wearing headset 11with an attached mobile device, the user can then use any featurespresent such as hands-free components, input devices, a microphone,headphones, a video-camera, a heads-up display, or another feature. Allfeatures are available until the user removes his mobile device and case12 from base 14. Once the mobile device and case 12 are removed, headset11 ceases communication with the mobile device and optionally turns off.

While there has been illustrated and described what is at presentconsidered to be the preferred embodiment of the present invention, itwill be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes andmodifications may be made and equivalents may be substituted forelements thereof without departing from the true scope of the inventiondisclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments fallingwithin the scope of the claims.

We claim:
 1. A system for reducing motion blur experienced byparticipants viewing virtual and augmented reality content on one ormore displays, the system comprising: a. a first optical arrangementcomprising a first lens and a second lens wherein the first lens andsecond lens are optically aligned, wherein the first optical arrangementis configured to allow a participant to view a display through the firstoptical arrangement, and wherein the second lens comprises a firstsurface and a second surface; b. a first active shutter systempositioned in the first optical arrangement between the first lens andthe first edge of the second lens and configured to substantially blockthe participant's view of the display when the first active shuttersystem is activated; and c. shutter control and processing componentscoupled to the first active shutter system and programmed to drive thefirst active shutter system.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein the firstoptical arrangement further comprises a third lens comprising a firstsurface and a second surface, wherein the third lens is opticallyaligned with the first and second lenses and positioned such that thefirst surface of the third lens is adjacent to the second surface of thesecond lens.
 3. The system of claim 1 further comprising a secondoptical arrangement comprising a first lens and a second lens whereinthe first lens and second lens are optically aligned, wherein the secondoptical arrangement is configured to allow a participant to view adisplay through the second optical arrangement, and wherein the secondlens comprises a first surface and a second surface.
 4. The system ofclaim 3 wherein: a. the first optical arrangement further comprises athird lens comprising a first surface and a second surface, wherein thethird lens is optically aligned with the first and second lenses of thefirst optical arrangement and positioned such that the first surface ofthe third lens is adjacent to the second surface of the second lens; andb. the second optical arrangement further comprises a third lenscomprising a first surface and a second surface, wherein the third lensis optically aligned with the first and second lenses of the secondoptical arrangement and positioned such that the first surface of thethird lens is adjacent to the second surface of the second lens.
 5. Thesystem of claim 4 further comprising a second active shutter systempositioned in the second optical arrangement between the first lens andthe first edge of the second lens and configured to substantially blockthe participant's view of the display when the second active shuttersystem is activated, wherein the shutter control and processingcomponents are coupled to the second active shutter system andprogrammed to independently drive both the first active shutter systemand the second active shutter system.
 6. The system of claim 1 whereinthe first lens is configured to minimize distortion and the second lensis configured to minimize chromatic aberration.
 7. The system of claim 6wherein the first lens is annealed optical grade plastic and the secondlens is a glass doublet lens.
 8. The system of claim 1 wherein the firstactive shutter system comprises at least one liquid crystal displayshutter.
 9. The system of claim 8 wherein the first active shuttersystem comprises at least two layered and optically aligned liquidcrystal display shutters.
 10. The system of claim 5 further comprising aheadset configured to house the first and second optical arrangements,the first and second active shutter systems, and the shutter control andprocessing components and further configured so that a participant'seyes are positioned near the second surface of the third lens of thefirst and second optical arrangements.
 11. The system of claim 10further comprising an optical sensor positioned on the headset near thefirst lens of the first optical arrangement and directed at the displayviewable through the first optical arrangement, wherein the opticalsensor is configured to collect a sample of optical data when content isdelivered on the display and to communicate the optical data to theshutter control and processing components.
 12. The system of claim 10further comprising a plurality of optical sensors positioned on theheadset in multiple locations and directed at multiple locations of adisplay viewable through the first and second optical arrangements,wherein the optical sensors are each configured to collect a sample ofoptical data when content is delivered on the display and to communicatethe optical data to the shutter control and processing components. 13.The system of claim 1 wherein the first active shutter system comprisestwo or more shutter segments and wherein the shutter control andprocessing components are programmed to independently drive each shuttersegment.
 14. The system of claim 11 further comprising at least onemotion sensor attached to the headset and configured to communicate withthe shutter control and processing components.
 15. A system for reducingmotion blur experienced by participants viewing virtual and augmentedreality content on one or more displays, the system comprising: a. aheadset configured to be worn by the participant; b. a first opticalarrangement disposed in the headset and comprising a first single lensand a first doublet lens wherein the first single lens and first doubletlens are optically aligned, wherein the first optical arrangement isconfigured to allow a participant to view a display through the firstoptical arrangement; c. a second optical arrangement disposed in theheadset and comprising a second single lens and a second doublet lenswherein the second single lens and second doublet lens are opticallyaligned, wherein the second optical arrangement is configured to allow aparticipant to view a display through the second optical arrangement; d.a first active shutter system positioned in the first opticalarrangement between the first single lens and the first doublet lens andconfigured to substantially block the participant's view of the displaywhen the first active shutter system is activated; e. a second activeshutter system positioned in the second optical arrangement between thesecond single lens and the second doublet lens and configured tosubstantially block the participant's view of the display when thesecond active shutter system is activated; and f. shutter control andprocessing components disposed in the headset and coupled to the firstactive shutter system and the second active shutter system andprogrammed to independently drive the first and second active shuttersystems.
 16. The system of claim 15 wherein the first and second singlelenses are each configured to minimize distortion and the first andsecond doublet lenses are each configured to minimize chromaticaberration.
 17. The system of claim 16 wherein the first and secondsingle lenses are annealed optical grade plastic and the first andsecond doublet lenses each comprise two optically aligned glass lenses.18. The system of claim 15 wherein the first and second shutter systemseach comprise at least one liquid crystal display shutter.
 19. Thesystem of claim 15 further comprising an optical sensor positioned onthe headset and directed at the display viewable through the first orsecond optical arrangement, wherein the optical sensor is configured tocollect a sample of optical data when content is delivered on thedisplay and to communicate the optical data to the shutter control andprocessing components.
 20. A system for reducing motion blur experiencedby participants viewing virtual and augmented reality content on one ormore displays, the system comprising: a. a display arrangementcomprising first display area and a second display area; b. a headsetconfigured to be worn by the participant; c. a first optical arrangementdisposed in the headset and comprising i. a first single lens comprisingoptical grade plastic; and ii. a first doublet lens comprising twooptically aligned glass lenses; iii. wherein the first single lens andfirst doublet lens are optically aligned and wherein the first opticalarrangement is configured to allow a participant to view the firstdisplay area through the first optical arrangement; d. a second opticalarrangement disposed in the headset and comprising i. a second singlelens comprising optical grade plastic; and ii. a second doublet lenscomprising two optically aligned glass lenses; iii. wherein the secondsingle lens and second doublet lens are optically aligned and whereinthe second optical arrangement is configured to allow a participant toview the second display area through the second optical arrangement; e.a first liquid crystal display shutter positioned in the first opticalarrangement between the first single lens and the first doublet lens andconfigured to substantially block the participant's view of the firstdisplay area when the first active shutter system is activated; f. asecond liquid crystal display shutter positioned in the second opticalarrangement between the second single lens and the second doublet lensand configured to substantially block the participant's view of thesecond display area when the second active shutter system is activated;g. shutter control and processing components disposed in the headset andcoupled to the first liquid crystal display shutter and the secondliquid crystal display shutter and programmed to independently drive thefirst and second liquid crystal display shutters; and h. at least oneoptical sensor positioned on the headset and directed at the displayviewable through either the first or second optical arrangement, whereinthe optical sensor is configured to collect a sample of optical datawhen content is delivered on the display and to communicate the opticaldata to the shutter control and processing components.